Said al-Ismaily, Managing Partner

Said al-Ismaily is the owner of CIL and an accomplished human resources and training professional, experienced in managing people and organizations at the senior management level. He has led diversified teams of professionals to new levels of success in a variety of highly competitive industries. Al-Ismaily served in the Royal Air Force of Oman, in flying roles as well as leading and managing academic and training institutions. He studied an M.B.A. from University of Strathclyde, U.K., and University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, U.K., as well as an M.A. in Military Studies.

As Assistant General Manager at Bank Muscat SAOG, Al-Ismaily was responsible for Human Resources Department, Learning & Development Department and Administration Department. He designed several programs to improve employee satisfaction and morale. Under his leadership, Bank Muscat received various recognitions, among them as “the best place to work” consecutively for four years 2002-2005 by Business Today Magazine.

Nasser al-Ismaily, Partner

Nasser al-Ismaily is a Partner at the Center for International Learning and has been acting in this capacity since 2015. He presides over the expansion operations of the company, in addition to overseeing its major developments. Outside of CIL, he works as the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager at Al Hadith Petroleum Services S.A.O.C. after fourteen years in the HSSE industry.

He is a certified internal auditor, and holds qualifications in IGC-NEBOSH, IOSH, and Technician Levels A and B in the UK CAT examination.

Dr. Elias Samo, Dean

Dr. Elias Samohas taught international relations at American and Syrian Universities, most recently as an adjunct professor at the School of International Service, American University, Washington D.C. and professor at the University of Aleppo, Syria, where he established the Graduate Department in International Relations. There, he also founded and chaired the Office of International Programs. He was involved for many years in the Syrian-Israeli peace process, Track Two Diplomacy and he has also been involved, more recently, in Track Two Diplomacy of the present Syrian upheaval. Dr. Samo has published extensively in English and Arabic. He is a Distinguished International Affairs Fellow at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and has a Ph.D. from American University, School of International Service.

Academic Staff

Samira al-SabahiDirector, Arabic Language Programs

Samira al-Sabahi is the Director of Arabic Language Programs at the Center for International Learning. In this role, she oversees the year-long programs that the Center offers, and serves as the primary liaison with Omani government ministries who authorize the Center to operate in Muscat. She represents the program to international visitors and liaises with companies in Muscat. Her educational background include a Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature, and a Master's Degree in Islamic (and other) Civilizations, both from the International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She is currently pursuing a degree in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language from Nizwa University in Oman, as well as a doctorate in political sociology from Leeds University in the U.K.

Administrative Staff

Elsa OcretoDirector, Finance and Human Resources

Elsa G. Ocreto is a Certified Public Accountant, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Cum Laude, from one of Philippine’s top State Universities. She has worked in the Sultanate from 2010 as a Finance & HR Consultant for a number of companies, including MEDC & WAJPCO, both subsidiaries of EHC. She was the Head of Finance & Accounting and part of the Senior Management Team of Jaguar/LandRover/Ferrari/Maserati Philippines prior to joining CIL. Her vast array of solid experiences included working opportunities with some top local & multinational corporations doing business in the Philippines in various Managerial & Supervisory posts in the areas of Finance, Audit, HR & Operations, including a stint with PriceWaterhouse CoopersPhils. as part of its audit team and executive search program.

Israa al-KhanjariCoordinator, Finance

Israa Al Khanjari is an Omani national with East African roots whose insight into Muscat's diversity comes from her experiences in both public and private education in the country. In July of 2013, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science withminor in Islamic Revealed Knowledge form the International Islamic University Malaysia. Studying and living abroad in a global environment widened her sense of tolerance and acceptance to national, cultural and religious diversity. She worked as a research assistant in the department of English Language and Literature for six months prior to joining the Center for International Learning in December 2015. Currently she serves as a finance assistant and a cost accountant at CIL while simultaneously pursuing her certification in chartered accounting.